Latest news with #FirstUnitedMethodistChurch
Chicago Tribune
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Community news: Live music at Morton Arboretum, school supply drive, more
Morton Arboretum opens its doors this summer for Arbor Evenings from 5:15 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Aug. 20 at 4100 Rt. 53, Lisle. Attendees can listen to live music while relaxing outside on picturesque Frost Hill while lounging on blankets or chairs they bring to the event. Sealed nonalcoholic beverages and outside food are welcome. Cocktails, beer, wine, water and other beverages will be sold, and food trucks will be available. Tickets cost $15 for adults 13 and older, $5 for children 4 to 12 years old and free for children 3 and younger. Tickets or information are at or 630-968-0074. LaGrange Public Library staff and officials want to give a helping hand next month to families that need school supplies. To that end, a collection drive is planned until Aug. 3, with drop-off locations at the library, 10 W. Cossitt Ave., LaGrange; First United Methodist Church of LaGrange, 100 W. Cossitt Ave., LaGrange; First Congregational Church of Western Springs, 1106 Chestnut Ave., Western Springs; First Congregational Church of LaGrange, 100 Sixth Ave., LaGrange. The items will be given out 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 6 at the LaGrange Park District Recreation Center, 536 East Ave., to anyone in LaGrange and the surrounding area who need them. Supplies include everything from backpacks and lunchboxes to pencils, highlighters, colored pencils, glue sticks, rulers, notebooks to USB flash drives, calculators, and disinfectant wipes and paper towels. A complete list is available at the library's website or by calling 708-215-3200. The seventh annual Strike a Chord benefit in memory of Hayden C. Miles takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. Aug. 2 at Countryside Park, between 59th and 61st streets. Performers include Roswell, Spingo, Silver Dollar and J3 Experience. The concert is free, but donations will be accepted for Merit School of Music, which aims to remove barriers to high-quality music education to allow all children to experience how music can affect them. Hayden, a Lyons Township High School student, died in March 2018, and the first concert was held in August 2019. He participated in marching band, pep band, jazz band, pit orchestra and concert band, as well as Boy Scouts and archery. As always, money raised will go to a music-related charity. The cross-country team at Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park will join the Crosstown Classic Run for a Cause, a student-led event that raises money for BEDS Plus, a nonprofit organization based in LaGrange that works to end homelessness in the southwest suburbs. The event stepped off at 3 p.m. July 26 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, continued along the lakefront path and finished at Rate Field. Runners planned to wear either a Chicago Cubs or a Chicago White Sox jersey, depending on which team brought in the most money before the race. This is the team's second year to join the run, inspired by then-junior Jackson Canellis who issued a summer challenge to the team last year, raising $10,000. 'I saw a way to turn something I love into real impact,' he said via a news release. 'This year we're scaling it up with a goal to help even more families and kids get back on their feet.' BEDS Plus, based at 9601 Ogden Ave., offers emergency shelter, meals, housing and case management to families and individuals experiencing homelessness. Last year it served more than 5,000 individuals in 3,320 households. To donate, visit or call 708-354-0858. The Chi Zeta Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Triton College in River Grove was again recognized again as a five-star chapter and honored for Outstanding Chapter Advisor Team at the 2025 Illinois Regional Conference and Honors Institute of Phi Theta Kappa in Champaign. To be recognized as a five-star chapter means members must follow a Five State Chapter Plan that outlines essentials for creating a chapter organized into five 'stars' which are Lead, Network, Engage, Reach and Discover. Phi Theta Kappa supports high-achieving students through scholarships, professional development, and opportunities to invest in their community. Members of Triton's chapter must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5. Certificate-seeking students must have completed six college-level credit hours and degree-seeking students must have finished 12 before the current semester. The City of Darien continues its free summer concert series with Ocean's Rat Pack on July 31 and The Stingrays on Aug. 28. The concerts take place 6 to 9 p.m. at Westwood Park, 75th Street and Fairview Avenue. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Attendees should plan to bring a favorite lawn chair or blanket to sit on and canned goods to donate to the local food pantry. Call 630-852-5000. Students are invited to prepare for the upcoming ACT examinations by taking a practice exam from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 2 at the Hinsdale Public Library, 20 E. Maple St., Hinsdale. The library will proctor the practice test and provide results quickly. Register online at or call 630-986-1976.
American Press
15-07-2025
- General
- American Press
Gwendolyn Beakley Gray
At 91 years of age, Gwendolyn Beakley Gray was called home by her Heavenly Father on July 10, 2025, in her residence in Katy, Texas. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by loving family and friends. Gwendolyn was born on Sept. 15, 1933, in Shreveport, La. She grew up in the Humble Oil Camps throughout Texas and Louisiana and later became a skilled geological draftsman. Gwen also had a deep passion for fashion, with a special talent for clothing and interior design. Gwen often said her greatest joy in life was spending time with her beloved grandchildren and family. She was strong in her Methodist faith and took great pride in tending the prayer garden at First United Methodist Church in Lake Charles. Her own home garden was also a source of admiration, reflecting her detailed horticultural knowledge and tireless work ethic. Those who knew Gwen admired not only her homemaking skills but also her generous spirit. She was a humble and selfless woman who gave freely to both her family and her community. Whether it was cooking meals for local firefighters or volunteering to improve Millennium Park, twice, Gwen led by example in her kindness, devotion, and faith. Gwendolyn's memory will be cherished by her sister, Elizabeth (Liza) Alice McCarty Glenney, and husband, James Randolph Glenney of Houston, Texas; Gwendolyn's children, Cathy Trahan and husband, Curtis Trahan of Katy, Texas, and Grady Beakley of Lake Charles, La.; her granddaughters, Leila Bordelon, Cheramie Trahan, Cherie Trahan, and Kimberly Lane; great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Mason, Mira, Micah, Aurora, Emersyn, Mollie, and Lillian; her great-great-grandson, Graeson; nieces, Meagan Christian Glenney Hilliard and Caitlin McCarty Glenney McCabe; great-nephews, James Harrison McCabe, Grant Douglas McCabe, Thomas Brooks McCabe and Harry Wise Hilliard, and great-niece, Blair Townsend Hilliard. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Bill Beakley; her second husband, Eddie Gray, and her parents, Mary Elizabeth McCarty and Ross Roy McCarty. A celebration of Gwendolyn's life will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at Johnson's Funeral Home in Lake Charles, La. The Rev. Weldon Bares will officiate. Visitation will be Monday July 14, 2025 from 5 p.m. till 8 p.m. and Tuesday from 9 a.m. till time of services at Johnson Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Prien Memory Gardens. 'We come from the earth, we return to the earth, and in between we garden. The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just on the body, but the soul.' -Alfred Austin
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Six Wiregrass Methodist churches to close
DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) — Six churches in the Wiregrass will close after a vote by members in the Alabama West-Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. The announcement to close a total of 27 churches came near the end of the conference's annual meeting on Tuesday at the Pensacola First United Methodist Church. Of those 27 churches, the six in the Wiregrass include: Sardis United Methodist Church in Hartford Center Ridge United Methodist Church in Coffee Springs Williams Chapel United Methodist Church in Brundidge Epworth United Methodist Church in Barbour County Memorial United Methodist Church in Covington County Williams Chapel United Methodist Church in Pike County The closures took effect on Tuesday, and all property held by these churches was transferred to the Board of Trustees of the Alabama-West Florida Conference. A speaker cited that most of the closures were due to declining membership, but also stated that some of the churches, including those in the Wiregrass, were closed because 'circumstances existed at these churches that required immediate protection of the local church property for the benefit of the denomination.' Many in the crowd were crying as the announcements were made. The other churches that were closed during the conference are: Friendship United Methodist Church in Jackson County, Florida Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church in Choctaw County Mt. Herman United Methodist Church in Hale County Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church in Hale County Ramsey's Chapel in Hale County Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church in Hale County China Grove United Methodist Church in Hale County Morris Chapel of Opelika in Lee County Irvington United Methodist Church in Mobile County Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Montgomery County Minerva United Methodist Church in Washington County Trinity Weoka United Methodist Church in Elmore County Epworth United Methodist Church in Barbour County Greenville First United Methodist Church in Butler County Trinity United Methodist Church in Russell County Guy's Chapel United Methodist Church in Baldwin County Fitzpatrick United Methodist Church in Bullock County Loachapoka United Methodist Church in Lee County Whitfield Memorial United Methodist Church in Montgomery County Butler First United Methodist Church in Choctaw County Flomaton United Methodist Church in Escambia County McRae Street of Atmore First United Methodist Church in Escambia County In March, the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church voted to close 20 churches. The closures come as the UMC faces several pending lawsuits, including one from Dothan's Harvest Church, over land and disafiliation disputes. Thousands of Methodist congregations split from the denomination over disputes involving the church's LGBTQ-related policies. United Methodist rules forbid same-sex marriage rites and the ordination of 'self-avowed practicing homosexuals,' but progressive Methodist churches and regional governing bodies in the U.S. have increasingly been defying these rules. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Robert DoBell Robert Douglas DoBell, 48, of Missoula,
May 30—Robert DoBell Robert Douglas DoBell, 48, of Missoula, Montana, passed away on May 20, 2025. A memorial service was held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at First United Methodist Church in Missoula. For a full obituary, please visit
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Dome sweet dome! Restoration of copper dome at First United Methodist Church nears completion
May 28—For the past seven months, contractors have spent their days working 100 feet above the streets of downtown Newton; the views have been breathtaking when they can summon the courage to scan the horizon, but their work station atop the copper dome of the First United Methodist Church has been just as extraordinary. Dylan Davis, project superintendent for Breiholz Construction, said there is just nothing like standing at the top of the dome and looking out across town. If he looks hard enough, he can see almost every water tower in all of the surrounding towns. When he looks out over Newton, he sees no other copper domes. For Davis, it feels like he is on top of the world. Ceko Lilly, a journeyman for Breiholz Construction, doesn't let his gaze stray too far from the copper surface he is working on. Admittedly, he develops a bit of tunnel vision when he's on the dome. Even though he's connected to a tether, it still feels like a long way down. Still, Lilly at least gets to admire his work a little more. Even though crews are a few weeks from finishing the job, he can begin to see the green patina forming on the copper. Over time, the dome will look less like a new penny and more like the Statue of Liberty. Their work also means the dome's life is greatly extended. Replacing the copper dome has been a collaborative effort. Breiholz Construction was chosen to handle the restoration in large part due to its background repairing historic structures. Baker Group was hired on to conduct the copper work; the company had previously refurbished exterior copper at the Iowa State Capitol. OPN Architects was involved with the church early on in the project and prepared the initial study to determine what needed to be done to the dome after it sustained hail damage. The architects frequently visit the site to make sure the drawings and specifications had been adhered to during the construction phase. Kimbra Korte, chair of the trustees committee at First United Methodist Church, said the May 2023 hail storm — which produced baseball- to tennis ball-sized hail — had torn holes into the vinyl siding and dented the copper roof. The damage caused a number of water issues. Church leaders wanted to see it fixed. Grinnell Mutual, the church's insurance company, covered a large portion of the repairs, which has cost an estimated $1.2 million. Fred Chabot, member of the church's trustees committee, said over the years the dome has received some maintenance and repair work. The siding had been replaced at one point to better waterproof the structure, and some elastomeric paint had been applied to parts of the copper. Breiholz Construction found that daylight could be seen from inside the dome itself, which is only accessible through an attic. Workers sealed off those gaps and also built a new collapsable ladder for the scuttle hole, which allows church leaders to access the inner dome safely. For the past 15 years he has been in the business, Davis has worked a lot of new construction and remodeling jobs. But he has never worked on a dome. "Copper as well," Davis said. "It's unique. It's not typical anymore. Nobody puts the money into that kind of thing anymore as far as that goes. It's definitely an art to say the least. It's a lot of hands-on work and it's got a uniqueness to it. You can't just lay it down and go. You gotta know what you're doing." There are challenges when restoring or repairing portions of a historic building. Davis said his biggest obstacle was knowing where to start and stop. "You can't remove everything otherwise it's no longer historic," Davis said. "You gotta keep some of it around and you have to know much of the scab do you have to peal back. You try to keep it original as much as possible. Another challenge was the learning curve for the dome." Chabot is pleased that both the trustees and the congregation are committed to preserving the historic church, a "symbol of Newton." According to local historian Larry Hurto's chronicles of the church, the building was dedicated in 1915. It was built of Bedford limestone and surmounted with a copper-covered dome. It had a large dining room, a completely furnished kitchen, a social room, coffee room, boys' club room, shower bath, toilets — the list goes on. Additions were added later on. The sanctuary had a seating capacity of 450. Combined with the balcony seatings and other rooms, the church had a total capacity of 1,250. "There's a sense of commitment by the trustees and congregation to preserve this unique building in the town of Newton," Chabot said. Korte said there are a lot of people who have attended First United Methodist Church for a long time. The project showed her that many people are interested in maintaining the building as a place of worship. The congregation has been very interested in the project, giving trustees a chance to share the history. Hurto noted First United Methodist Church is a contributing property to Newton's historic downtown district. Looking around at the copper on the dome and the stained glass present throughout the building, Hurto said it is "an architectural treasure." Its history is significant, and its services date back to the 1840s. "This is a testament, I think, to all of the saints that have attended church here over generations," Hurto said. "To be able to be in a position to save and preserve it for future generations is very exciting." It makes the sudden passing of Pastor Doug Cue on May 18 all the more tragic. Hurto said it is heartbreaking to think Cue did not see the dome's completion. Davis said Cue and the congregation have been so welcoming throughout the entire project. He came into work not feeling stressed, nor did he feel pressured to speed up the process. Davis said Cue especially made him feel warm and invited, and even fixed a few meals for workers. "It's been very pleasurable throughout the entire duration of the project," Davis said. "They've done a very good job not only giving us a cool project to work with but they've been very inviting the entire time we've been here."
